"Walt has demonstrated throughout his career, at every level, the need to bring people together in order to achieve success and meet a common goal. His values and attributes align with those of BPAMA's," said Randy Meffert, chairman of BPAMA.

Clements started in the petroleum industry while working for his uncle -- an Amoco dealer -- while he was attending high school and college. Clements joined Amoco in 1982, and served in a number of financial and marketing roles in the United States and internationally, including an assignment as business unit leader for BP's France and Benelux retail channels. Clements also oversaw the integration of Aral (Bochum Germany) with BP.

After leaving BP in 2007, Clements returned to the United States to consult as an educator at Indiana University. In 2012, he joined the Mendoza College of Business at Notre Dame, teaching finance and entrepreneurship to undergraduate, MBA and Executive MBA students.

"The BPAMA will benefit from Walt's global leadership experience in retail, food service, store operations, fuels, chemicals, renewable energy, business development and finance," Meffert said. "As well as his educational philosophy of instilling methods to achieve outstanding results with integrity, trust and respect, Walt has the industry knowledge, the jobber experience, and the leadership style to lead the association, and its' members to the position of industry leader in this evolving market."

As CSNews Online previously reported, Kleine announced his retirement in July. He was appointed to executive director in 2004 after a long career in petroleum marketing with Amoco.

As executive director, Kleine helped forge greater integration between BP and BP branded marketers. In 2010, he worked with more than 30 BP-branded marketers, BP senior leaders, independent experts and leaders from the Kellogg School of Management to create a new joint strategy initiative between BP and its branded marketers.